California Fuschia – Epilobium canum (formerly Zauschneria californica) (Ep-i-LOBE-ee-um CAN (or KANE)-um)
Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)
Native to: Western U.S. from Wyoming to Baja CA. In S. CA, away from immediate coast in dryer parts
of Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral. Dry areas, rocky slopes & cliffs.
Growth characteristics: perennial herb/sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft mature width: to 4 ft.
Mounding sub-shrub with many semi-woody stems. Drought-deciduous. Rapid growing, spreading by
underground stems. Extremely variable growth patterns; more bush-like and silvery in full sun & more ‘ground-cover-like’ in partial shade.
Blooms/fruits: Bright red-orange fuschia-type flowers from fall into winter. Pollinated by hummingbirds.
Extremely showy as there are many flowers – and at a time when few other plants are blooming! May
bloom for several months.
Uses in the garden: as a ground cover on sunny dry slopes or semi-shaded areas. For the mid- to back-
bed area in mixed beds and borders. Provides welcome fall color. Tolerates some foot traffic once established. ‘Catalina’ cultivar is robust, with white-green leaves, very large, showy flowers.
Sensible substitute for: non-native fuschias; other shrubby ground-covers.
Attracts: hummingbirds; plants provide some cover for birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to partial shade
Soil Any, from sand to clay; any pH
Water Little to moderate when established; drought tolerant (loses leaves); can tolerate flooding
Fertilizer None needed
Other Quite pest-free
Management: Can be invasive – spreading by both seedlings and rhizomes. Cut back to ground in late
winter for fuller growth. You can pinch terminal buds to promote branching (like any fuschia).
Propagation: from seed: yes from cuttings: fairly easy from hardwood cuttings in fall.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 9, 12-14, 19, 20, 24 11/28/10
© Project SOUND
Epilobium canum California fuschia